Byrne acted as campaign manager in 2011 and is expected to do the same in 2015. After the election, she served as the party’s director of political operations until the shakeup sparked by the departure of Nigel Wright, the prime minister’s chief of staff, at which point she moved into the prime minister’s office as deputy chief of staff.

Jenni Byrne (Adrian Wyle/The Canadian Press/File)

Byrne has a reputation for competence, fierce loyalty and a robust management style. Most MPs, who were celebrating the departure of Soudas on Monday, would welcome her return to the party office, insiders say. But she would have to be persuaded to leave her job at the prime minister’s office, and there was no indication on Monday that that was the plan.

“It happened so abruptly I don’t know if there is a plan,” said one Conservative source.

But insiders also suggest that Soudas will be replaced by a lower-profile executive director.

Soudas, who was hired in December to help get the party ready for the next election, was in charge of both administrative and political operations. Previously, the director of political operations was in charge of organizing, and the executive director handled administrative matters.

When Soudas took over the job, however, he took over the management of political files from Fred DeLorey, who had taken over as director of political operations from Byrne.

Conservative insiders aren’t sure how the party will fill the job now, but insiders don’t necessarily expect a high-profile replacement. Byrne might be brought in to replace Soudas, or she could play an expanded role while DeLorey runs the party office.

“It doesn’t really matter where Jenni sits, because she’s going to exercise her influence wherever she sits,” said one senior insider. “Does she sit (at the party offices) on Albert Street or (at the prime minister’s office) in the Langevin Block?”